SOAS Research Online

Abstract

Recent archaeological excavations in various parts of South East Asia have brought abundant, fresh material to scholars. Consequently, new ideas and hypotheses have been put forward by those who work in this particular field of studies. In Cambodia, prior to the recent tragic events, a number of new sites have been discovered. Fresh evidence has come to light and eventually led scholars to reconsider some views hitherto accepted as established, The present "Survey of the Southern Provinces of Cambodia in the pre-Angkor period" aims to be a re-examination of the archaeological and some epigraphical material available in the hope of seeing whether it is possible as yet to establish any relation between the numerous sites and to provide a preliminary sketch of the culture of the area. The scope of the present work is limited geographically to certain southern provinces of present day Cambodia, namely Kandal, Kampong Speu, Takeo, Kampot and Prey Veng; it also includes the deltaic area of South Vietnam from which only some of the most important sites will be considered. Chronologically, the period involved is that commonly known as Funan and pre-Angkor periods, which run roughly from the 1st to the 8th century A.D. The work consists of a study of various archaeological remains and other sculptures so far found on, or near the sites. Attempts will be made to date them more closely in the light of recent research. Inscriptions found in the vicinity of the area will be examined in order to try to relate them to the other data. While examining epigraphic documents efforts will he made to see whether there are any possible connections between place names mentioned in the inscriptions and those of the present day. This kind of historical geography is mainly concerned with names involving topographical features such as water tanks, lakes, hills, mounds, forests which still persist abundantly in many parts of Cambodia, particularly in the province of Takeo.